EDGEWATER, FL — Matt Taylor, widely known as “Matt the Welder,” has officially launched his campaign for Florida Agriculture Commissioner, bringing a grassroots, no-nonsense approach to a race often dominated by career politicians. A lifelong Floridian, Taylor is a welder, mechanic, and farmer who has built a loyal following through his candid, often hard-hitting social media videos that tackle issues many in the state avoid.
Taylor’s campaign is rooted in one clear mission: to protect Florida’s rural land and the people who live and work on it. With firsthand experience raising cattle and crops, he’s no stranger to the challenges facing Florida’s agricultural communities. His platform emphasizes land conservation, transparency in government, and standing up to what he calls “the developer-industrial complex” threatening the state’s natural heritage.
“Matt isn’t a politician—he’s one of us,” reads a statement on his campaign site. “He understands what it means to live paycheck to paycheck, raise a family, and fight to hold onto the values that make rural Florida special”.
Taylor’s rise in Florida politics has been unconventional. Known for his humor and authenticity, he first gained attention through viral videos and podcasts where he exposed local corruption and criticized policies that he believes harm working-class Floridians. His commentary spans topics from land use loopholes to chemical spraying in agriculture, often delivered with a mix of wit and grit that resonates with everyday votersfloridacrackernewsnetwork.com.
He’s also been a vocal critic of special interests and has pledged not to take money from corporate donors. “I’m not here to play politics,” Taylor said in a recent interview. “I’m here to protect the land, the water, and the way of life that built this state.”
Supporters are encouraged to follow Matt the Welder on social media, where he posts frequent updates, behind-the-scenes looks at his campaign, and unfiltered takes on Florida’s most pressing issues. His Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube pages have become hubs for rural advocacy and political transparency.
As the 2026 election season heats up, Taylor’s candidacy is already shaking up the race. Whether he can weld together a winning coalition remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: Matt the Welder is sparking a movement.
Sources: About Matt | Treadback Matt the Welder Shakes up Florida Politics The FloBro Show Podcast with Matt the Welder Florida Cracker News Network
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement of any political candidate or campaign. The views and statements attributed to Matt Taylor, also known as "Matt the Welder," are based on publicly available information and self-reported positions. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult official campaign sources before forming opinions or making voting decisions. This content is not affiliated with or authorized by any political organization or government entity.
Add comment
Comments
Please help stop overbuilding of our state
Matt Taylor is someone I would support and vote for as Agriculture Commissioner.
Matt definitely has my vote!
Politicians are not protecting the environment so we need people to step up and control the growth before nature is completely destroyed.
Keep on doing what your doing!
Been following and forwarding since you started exposing the ' dirt'
Matt ;Taylor- AG commissioner 2026
Please support saving our forests and its inhabitants. The building and development is destroying Ocala. Most of us are here for the horses, farms and ranches, not strip malls and apartment buildings. Please help keep Ocala from being destroyed.
We have watched you for a long time! Pasco County will be campaigning for you 💯! We are tired of the destruction of our once beautiful rural county!
I am backing you Mat, you’ll have my full support
Looks like Matt “The Welder” Taylor is officially in the race for Florida Agriculture Commissioner. It’s going to be interesting to see how a 21st-century grassroots social media campaign with Matt and his associates, who have several hundred thousand followers — stacks up against the entrenched establishment and Wilton Simpson, who’s sitting on over $12 million in campaign cash from big landowners and political-class donors.
Once Floridians learn what the Department of Agriculture has been doing with the so-called Conservation money, the Commissioner’s total dereliction over the $83.3 million Destin sandbar deal, Simpson’s abandonment of small farmers after the hurricanes, and the $900,000 payout to his top legislative aide Rachel Perrin Rogers to cover up a Republican Senate sex scandal, the people of Florida will vote him out.
Please stop the poisoning. Mosaic is killing us. We don't want radio active parks or water.
Please, protect our ecosystem. Keep your word.
Please let me know what you think about the bear hunt. I am against it Marion County Commissioners have let developers invade our county. While they stuff thier pockets with money. What can be done to stop this?
Hey Matt, I've been following you and belong to several online groups here on f/b. trying to bring awareness about the dangers of overbuilding. I would love to see a moratorium made into a law restricting ANY more than 500 bldgs per county per year that still leaves a whopping 33,500 (which I personally think should be lower) but in order to do this I think reasonable would work better.
Don't let those developers bribe you. Do it once and you're blackmailed forever. Just say HELL NO!!!👍 Looking forward to this. Good luck Matt.
Please don't forget the Panhandle and Lake Seminole. The Florida side of the lake could be cleaned up and the all of the stuff choking the lake out could be sold to local farmers for cost of removal. They can use it for fertilizer. Plus it would let more nutrients reach the oyster beds in Apalachicola bay.
Stop over growth.
Would definitely support Matt Taylor.
Environmental conservation is needed, and should be protected.
I support this
Congratulations I will make sure I vote for you. It's about time we had someone with a brain that can get rid of all the idiots.
I would definitely vote for Matt.
He has my vote, as a 6 generation Floridian, it makes me sick to see the corruption and destruction of this once beautiful state. Over building, over population, over everything has ruined it. Enough is enough! GO MATT!!!
PLEASE SAVE RURAL FLORIDA!!. AND STOP INSANE BUILDING IN FLAGLER COUNTY